Reducing wireless communication signaling overhead

ABSTRACT

In systems and methods of reducing wireless communication signaling overhead, it is determined that communication resource request traffic from a plurality of wireless devices in communication with an access node to communicate with a communication network meets a first threshold. One of the plurality of wireless devices is selected to operate as a router wireless device based on a power storage level and an assigned modulation and coding scheme of each of the plurality of wireless devices. At least one of the unselected wireless devices is instructed to communicate with the communication network via the selected router wireless device.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

A wireless device attempting to establish communication with a wirelesscommunication network typically sends a communication resource request,such as a request for a communication channel, to an access node. Theaccess node typically uses a procedure to allocate wirelesscommunication link resources to the requesting wireless device, such asa random access procedure, which allocates communication link resourceson a request or need basis rather than establishing dedicated wirelesslink resources for the wireless device. A random access procedure can beused in a variety of circumstances, such as when a wireless deviceinitiates communication when it comes out of a lower power or idlestate, when a wireless device is attempting to re-establish a lost ortemporarily dropped connection, when the wireless device is handed overto a second access node, or when data is available to be transferredbetween the access node and the wireless device.

OVERVIEW

In operation, it is determined that communication resource requesttraffic from a plurality of wireless devices in communication with anaccess node to communicate with a communication network meets a firstthreshold. One of the plurality of wireless devices is selected tooperate as a router wireless device based on a power storage level andan assigned modulation and coding scheme of each of the plurality ofwireless devices. At least one of the unselected wireless devices isinstructed to communicate with the communication network via theselected router wireless device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communication system to reduce wirelesscommunication overhead.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method of reducing wirelesscommunication overhead.

FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary communication system to reducewireless communication overhead.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary method of reducing wirelesscommunication overhead.

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary method of reducing wirelesscommunication overhead.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary processing node.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communication system 100 to reducewireless communication overhead comprising wireless devices 102 and 104,access node 106, communication network 108. Examples of wireless devices102 and 104 can comprise a cell phone, a smart phone, a computingplatform such as a laptop, palmtop, or tablet, a personal digitalassistant, or an internet access device, including combinations thereof.Wireless device 102 can communicate with access node 106 overcommunication link 110, and wireless device 104 can communicate withaccess node 106 over communication link 112. Wireless devices 102 and104 can also communicate with each other over communication link 114.

Access node 106 is a network node capable of providing wirelesscommunications to wireless devices 102 and 104, and can be, for example,a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an eNodeB device, oran enhanced eNodeB device. Access node 106 is in communication withcommunication network 108 over communication link 116.

Communication network 108 can be a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork, and can comprise processing nodes, routers, gateways, andphysical and/or wireless data links for carrying data among variousnetwork elements, including combinations thereof, and can include alocal area network, a wide area network, and an internetwork (includingthe Internet). Communication network 108 can be capable of carryingdata, for example, to support voice and data communications by awireless device such as wireless devices 102 and 104. Wireless networkprotocols may comprise code division multiple access (CDMA) 1xRTT,Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA),Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO), EV-DO rev. A, Third GenerationPartnership Project Long Term Evolution (3GPP LTE), and WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX). Wired network protocolsthat may be utilized by communication network 108 comprise Ethernet,Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Local Talk (such as Carrier SenseMultiple Access with Collision Avoidance), Token Ring, Fiber DistributedData Interface (FDDI), and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM).Communication network 108 may also comprise additional base stations,controller nodes, telephony switches, internet routers, networkgateways, computer systems, communication links, or some other type ofcommunication equipment, and combinations thereof.

Communication links 110, 112, 114, and 116 can be wired or wirelesscommunication links. Wired communication links can be, for example,twisted pair cable, coaxial cable or fiber optic cable, or combinationsthereof. Wireless communication links can be a radio frequency,microwave, infrared, or other similar signal, and can use a suitablecommunication protocol, for example, Global System for Mobiletelecommunications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA),Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), or Long TermEvolution (LTE), or combinations thereof. Other wireless protocols canalso be used.

Other network elements may be present in the communication system 100 tofacilitate wireless communication but are omitted for clarity, such asbase stations, base station controllers, gateways, mobile switchingcenters, dispatch application processors, and location registers such asa home location register or visitor location register. Furthermore,other network elements may be present to facilitate communicationbetween access node 106 and communication network 108 which are omittedfor clarity, including additional processing nodes, routers, gateways,and physical and/or wireless data links for carrying data among thevarious network elements.

In operation, it is determined that communication resource requesttraffic from a plurality of wireless devices 102 and 104 incommunication with access node 106 to communicate with a communicationnetwork meets a first threshold. One of the plurality of wirelessdevices, for example, wireless device 104, is selected to operate as arouter wireless device based on a power storage level and an assignedmodulation and coding scheme of each of wireless devices 102 and 104. Atleast one of the unselected wireless devices, such as wireless device102, is instructed to communicate with the communication network viaselected router wireless device 104.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method of reducing wirelesscommunication overhead. In operation 202, it is determined that bufferstatus report traffic from a plurality of wireless devices incommunication with an access node to communicate with a communicationnetwork meets a first threshold.

A wireless device attempting to establish communication with a wirelesscommunication network typically sends a communication resource requestto an access node. As an example, a wireless device can send a requestfor a communication channel to an access node. One example of acommunication resource request is a buffer status report (BSR). Acommunication resource request can indicate an amount of data to betransmitted. For example, wireless devices 102 and 104 can each send acommunication resource request to access node 106 requestingcommunication resources to transmit data buffered at each wirelessdevice. In addition to information indicating an amount of data to betransmitted, the request for communication resources can also comprisean indication of what type of data is to be transmitted, such as logicalchannel group (LCG) or similar information. A scheduling function of theaccess node can assign communication resources based on, among otherthings, the received BSR, the LCG information, and conditions of thecommunication link with the wireless devices. The access node can thennotify the wireless device of resources allocated to the wirelessdevice, and the wireless device can acknowledge the allocation andtransmit the buffered data.

A wireless device may request communication resources for differenttypes of data, for example, video data, voice data, data for email andother messaging, and the like. A wireless device can group requestsbased on a logical channel group or similar information in a combinedcommunication resource request. A communication resource request cancomprise a variety of formats. For example, in the case of a bufferstatus report, a short BSR format can comprise, for example, a radiobearer group identifier and a corresponding buffer size, and a long BSRformat can comprise, for example, a plurality of buffer size fields andtheir corresponding radio bearer group identifiers. Other formats arealso possible.

As a number of requests for communication resources received by anaccess node increases, the signaling overhead in communication links ofthe wireless device, such as communication links 110 and 112, canincrease. Excessive communication link overhead can lead to adegradation in communication link quality, and thus a decrease in aquality of service provided by the access node. The degradation inservice can be experienced in both an uplink and a downlink portion of acommunication link, at least because communication resource requests areacknowledged by the access node and followed or accompanied by aresource allocation message. Accordingly, in operation 202, it isdetermined that communication resource request traffic from a pluralityof wireless devices in communication with an access node to communicatewith a communication network meets a first threshold.

In operation 204, one of the plurality of wireless devices is selectedto operate as a router wireless device based on a power storage leveland an assigned modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of each of theplurality of wireless devices. For example, access node 106 candetermine a power storage level (such as a battery level) of each ofwireless devices 102 and 104, and can also determine a modulation andcoding scheme assigned to communication links 110 and 112. As oneexample, where wireless device 104 has a greater power storage levelthan wireless device 102, and/or where communication link 112 isassigned an MCS permitted a greater data rate than communication link110, access node 106 can select wireless device 104 to operate as arouter wireless device. When access node 106 selects wireless device 104to operate as a router wireless device, access node 106 can notifyselected wireless device 104, and further can instruct wireless device104 to send and receive communications with other wireless devices.

In operation 206, at least one of the unselected wireless devices isinstructed to communicate with the communication network via theselected router wireless device. For example, when access node 106instructs wireless device 104 to operate as a router wireless device,access node 106 can also notify at least one other wireless device incommunication with access node 106, such as wireless device 102. In anembodiment, when wireless device 104 is selected to operate as a routerwireless device, access node 106 can instruct wireless device 104 tosend and receive communications with other wireless devices, andfurther, access node 106 can instruct wireless device 102 to communicatewith wireless device 104 over communication link 114. Moreover, accessnode 106 can instruct wireless device 102 to communicate with accessnode 106 via wireless device 104. While wireless device 102 is incommunication with communication system 100 via wireless device 104,access node 106 will typically not receive a request for communicationresources from wireless device 102. Further, while wireless device 102is in communication with communication system 100 via wireless device104, access node 106 will typically receive a communication resourcerequest from wireless device 104 which includes a request forcommunication resources required by wireless devices 102 and 104. Thus,the communication resource request received from wireless device 104 cancomprise a combined or aggregated resource request.

FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary communication system 300 to reducewireless communication overhead comprising wireless devices 302, 304,306 and 308, access node 310, and communication network 312. Examples ofwireless devices 302, 304, 306 and 308 can comprise a cell phone, asmart phone, a computing platform such as a laptop, palmtop, or tablet,a personal digital assistant, or an internet access device, includingcombinations thereof. Wireless device 302 can communicate with accessnode 310 over communication link 318 and with wireless device 308 overcommunication link 324. Wireless device 304 can communicate with accessnode 310 over communication link 316 and with wireless device 308 overcommunication link 322. Wireless device 304 can also communicate withwireless device 302 over communication link 330. Wireless device 306 cancommunicate with access node 310 over communication link 314 and withwireless device 308 over communication link 320. Wireless device 308 canalso communicate with access node 310 over communication link 326.

Access node 310 is a network node capable of providing wirelesscommunications to wireless devices 302, 304, 306 and 308, and can be,for example, a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an eNodeBdevice, or an enhanced eNodeB device. Access node 310 is incommunication with communication network 312 over communication link328.

Communication network 312 can be a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork, and can comprise processing nodes, routers, gateways, andphysical and/or wireless data links for carrying data among variousnetwork elements, including combinations thereof, and can include alocal area network, a wide area network, and an internetwork (includingthe Internet). Communication network 312 can be capable of carryingdata, for example, to support voice and data communications by awireless device such as wireless devices 302, 304, 306 and 308. Wirelessnetwork protocols may comprise code division multiple access (CDMA)1xRTT, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA),Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO), EV-DO rev. A, Third GenerationPartnership Project Long Term Evolution (3GPP LTE), and WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX). Wired network protocolsthat may be utilized by communication network 312 comprise Ethernet,Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Local Talk (such as Carrier SenseMultiple Access with Collision Avoidance), Token Ring, Fiber DistributedData Interface (FDDI), and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM).Communication network 312 may also comprise additional base stations,controller nodes, telephony switches, internet routers, networkgateways, computer systems, communication links, or some other type ofcommunication equipment, and combinations thereof.

Communication links 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328 and 330 canbe wired or wireless communication links. Wired communication links canbe, for example, twisted pair cable, coaxial cable or fiber optic cable,or combinations thereof. Wireless communication links can be a radiofrequency, microwave, infrared, or other similar signal, and can use asuitable communication protocol, for example, Global System for Mobiletelecommunications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA),Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), or Long TermEvolution (LTE), or combinations thereof. Other wireless protocols canalso be used, including combinations thereof. For example, wirelessdevices can communicate with access node 310 using a first communicationprotocol or radio access technology, and can communicate with a selectedrouter wireless device using a second communication protocol or radioaccess technology. In an embodiment, wireless devices can communicationwith a selected router wireless device using a short range communicationprotocol, such as those described in the IEEE 802 family ofspecifications, which includes WiFi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, and others.

Other network elements may be present in the communication system 300 tofacilitate wireless communication but are omitted for clarity, such asbase stations, base station controllers, gateways, mobile switchingcenters, dispatch application processors, and location registers such asa home location register or visitor location register. Furthermore,other network elements may be present to facilitate communicationbetween access node 310 and communication network 312 which are omittedfor clarity, including additional processing nodes, routers, gateways,and physical and/or wireless data links for carrying data among thevarious network elements.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary method of reducing wirelesscommunication overhead. In operation 402, it is determined that bufferstatus report traffic from a plurality of wireless devices incommunication with an access node to communicate with a communicationnetwork meets a first threshold. As a number of requests forcommunication resources received by an access node increases, thesignaling overhead in communication links of the wireless device, suchas communication links 314, 316, 318, and 326, can increase. Excessivecommunication link overhead can lead to a degradation in communicationlink quality, and thus a decrease in a quality of service provided bythe access node. The degradation in service can be experienced in bothan uplink and a downlink portion of a communication link, at leastbecause communication resource requests are acknowledged by the accessnode and followed or accompanied by a resource allocation message.Accordingly, in operation 402, it is determined that buffer statusreport traffic from a plurality of wireless devices in communicationwith an access node to communicate with a communication network meets afirst threshold.

In operation 404, one of the plurality of wireless devices is selectedto operate as a router wireless device based on a power storage leveland an assigned modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of each of theplurality of wireless devices. For example, access node 310 determine apower storage level (such as a battery level) of each of wirelessdevices 302, 304, 306 and 308, and can also determine a modulation andcoding scheme assigned to communication links 314, 316, 318, and 326. Asone example, where wireless device 308 has a greater power storage levelthan wireless devices 302, 304 and 306, and/or where communication link326 is assigned an MCS permitted a greater data rate and/or errorcorrection than communication links 314, 316 and 318 access node 310 canselect wireless device 308 to operate as a router wireless device. Whenaccess node 310 selects wireless device 308 to operate as a routerwireless device, access node 310 can notify selected wireless device308, and further can instruct wireless device 308 to send and receivecommunications with other wireless devices.

In an embodiment, the one of the plurality of wireless devices can alsobe selected based on a number of streams of data the wireless device iscapable of receiving. For example, a wireless device can comprise morethan one transceiver to send and/or receive more than one transmission,data stream, etc. during a time period. A wireless device which iscapable of receiving two or more data streams can be selected from theplurality of wireless devices. In an embodiment, the one of theplurality of wireless devices can be selected to operate as the routerwireless device based on a power storage level, an assigned modulationand coding scheme, and a capability to receive a number of data streamsof each wireless device.

In operation 406, at least one of the unselected wireless devices isinstructed to communicate with the communication network via theselected router wireless device. For example, when access node 310instructs wireless device 308 to operate as a router wireless device,access node 310 can also notify at least one other wireless device incommunication with access node 310, such as wireless devices 302, 304and 306. In an embodiment, when wireless device 308 is selected tooperate as a router wireless device, access node 310 can instructwireless devices 302, 304 and 306 to send and receive communicationswith other wireless devices, and further, access node 310 can instructwireless devices 302, 304 and 306 to communicate with wireless device308 over communication links 324, 322 and 320, respectively. Moreover,access node 310 can instruct wireless devices 302, 304 and 306 tocommunicate with access node 310 via wireless device 308. While wirelessdevices 302, 304 and 306 are in communication with communication system300 via wireless device 308, access node 310 will typically not receivea request for communication resources from wireless devices 302, 304 and306. Further, a request for communication resources received by accessnode 310 from wireless device 308 can comprise an aggregated request forcommunication resources, which can include resource requests from atleast one of wireless devices 302, 304 and 306.

In an embodiment, an application requirement and/or a service qualityrequirement of the unselected wireless devices can be considered wheninstructing the unselected wireless devices whether to communicate withthe communication network via the router wireless device. For example,where wireless device 306 is an unselected wireless device and wirelessdevice 308 is selected to operate as a router wireless device, wirelessdevice 306 can be running, for example, an application which requires aminimum data rate, or a maximum data delay, or a maximum error rate, andthe like. Examples of such an application include a voice application(such as a voice over internet protocol application), a streaming videoapplication, and a streaming audio application. Similarly, wirelessdevice 306 may comprise a service quality requirement, which can bebased on a requirement of the type of application running on wirelessdevice 306, or it can be based on a service level or service qualityrequirement associated with wireless device 306 in communication network312. While wireless device 306 is capable of communicating with wirelessdevice 308 over communication link 320, the ability of wireless device308 can be evaluated, for example, against a threshold level of anapplication requirement and/or a service level requirement associatedwith wireless device 306. In an embodiment, at least one of theunselected wireless devices can be instructed to communicate with thecommunication network via the selected router wireless device based onat least one of an application requirement and a service qualityrequirement of the at least one of the unselected wireless devices.

In an embodiment, at least one of the unselected wireless devices can beinstructed to communicate with the communication network via theselected router wireless device when an assigned modulation and codingscheme (MCS) of the selected wireless device is greater than or equal toan assigned modulation and coding scheme of the at least one of theunselected wireless devices. For example, an MCS assigned tocommunication link 326 can greater than or equal to an MCS assigned tocommunication link 314. The comparison of the MCS associated withcommunication links 314 and 326 can be based on, for example, anachievable data rate or throughput, a data delay, an error rate, and thelike, of each communication link.

In an embodiment, at least one of the unselected wireless devices can beinstructed to communicate with the communication network via theselected router wireless device when the selected wireless device iscapable of receiving at least a same number of data streams as the atleast one of the unselected wireless devices. For example, wirelessdevice 306 may be capable of receiving two data streams. Where wirelessdevice 308 is capable of receiving two or more data streams, wirelessdevice 308 can be selected to operate as a router wireless device, andwireless device 306 can be instructed to communicate with communicationnetwork 312 via wireless device 308.

Other criteria can be used when instructing an unselected wirelessdevice to communicate with the communication network via a selectedrouter wireless device, including combinations of the foregoing.

In operation 408, a second one of the plurality of wireless devices isselected to operate as a router wireless device when an aggregatedcommunication resource request traffic from the selected router wirelessdevice meets the first threshold. For example, a demand forcommunication resources from wireless devices 302, 304, 306 and 308 canbe combined into an aggregated communication resource request, which canbe generated and sent from wireless device 308 (operating as a routerwireless device) to access node 310. At least one of wireless devices302, 304, and 306 can change an application running on the wirelessdevice, or can request a service or a download of data, or in some otherway can increase its requirement for communication resources. Theaggregated communication resource request can thus increase meet thefirst threshold. When the aggregated communication resource requesttraffic from the selected router wireless device meets the firstthreshold. A second one of the plurality of wireless devices can beselected to operate as a router wireless device. For example, wirelessdevice 302 can be selected to operate as a second router wirelessdevices. Wireless device 302 can be selected based on any of thecriteria described above, including combinations thereof. Further, anunselected wireless device can be instructed to communicate with thecommunication network via the second selected router wireless device.For example, wireless device 304 can be instructed to communicate withwireless device 302 over communication link 330.

In an embodiment, an uplink packet delay of the unselected wirelessdevices can be measured, and when an uplink packet delay meets athreshold, a second wireless device can be selected to operate as arouter wireless device. For example, wireless devices 302, 304 and 306can be instructed to communicate with wireless device 308 operating as arouter wireless device. Data communicated between wireless devices 302,304 and 306 and access node 310 via wireless device 308 can comprise anidentifier of wireless device 302, 304 and 306, respectively. A delay ofdata packets from each of wireless devices 302, 304, 306 and 308 can bemeasured, and when a packet delay from any of wireless devices 302, 304,306 and 308 meets a delay threshold, a second wireless device (forexample, wireless device 302) can be selected to operate as a routerwireless device. Criteria used to select wireless device 302 cancomprise one or more combinations of criteria described above, includingcombinations thereof. In an embodiment, a second one of the plurality ofwireless device can be selected to operate as a router wireless devicewhen an uplink packet delay meets a second threshold and an whencommunication resource request traffic from the selected router wirelessdevice meets the first threshold.

In operation 410, one of the plurality of wireless devices can bedeselected from operating as the router wireless device based on atleast one of a power storage level, a wireless device mobility, andchannel conditions of a communication link of the selected one of theplurality of wireless devices. For example, wireless device 308 can moveout of a coverage area of access node 310, or it can move out of rangeof one of communication links 324, 322 and/or 320. As another example, adelay time of packets received from wireless devices 302, 304 and/or 306can meet a delay threshold, and based on the delay meeting the delaythreshold, a router wireless device can be deselected. As anotherexample, channel conditions of communication link 326, or ofcommunication links 324, 322 or 320, can change such that wirelessdevice 308 cannot satisfy the requirements of one of wireless devices302, 304 and/or 306. The change can be, for example, a decrease inreceived signal strength, received signal quality, data throughput, achange in an assigned MCS (comprising either encoding or errorcorrection), and so forth. As another example, a power storage level ofwireless device 308 can decrease to meet a threshold. Based on at leastone of a power storage level, a wireless device mobility, and channelconditions of a communication link of the selected one of the pluralityof wireless devices, wireless device 308 can be deselected as a routerwireless device. When wireless device 308 is deselected, other wirelessdevices in communication with access node 310 through wireless device308 can be instructed to communicate with another wireless device (forexample, second router wireless device 302) or to communicate withaccess node 310 without the involvement of another wireless device.

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary method of reducing wirelesscommunication overhead. In operation 502, it is determined thatcommunication resource request traffic from a plurality of wirelessdevices in communication with an access node to communicate with acommunication network meets a first threshold. As a number of requestsfor communication resources received by an access node increases, thesignaling overhead in communication links of the wireless device, suchas communication links 314, 316, 318, and 326, can increase, and canlead to a degradation in communication link quality, and thus a decreasein a quality of service provided by the access node. Accordingly, inoperation 502, it is determined that communication resource requesttraffic from a plurality of wireless devices in communication with anaccess node to communicate with a communication network meets a firstthreshold.

In operation 504, one of the plurality of wireless devices is selectedto operate as a router wireless device based on a power storage leveland an assigned modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of each of theplurality of wireless devices. For example, access node 310 determine apower storage level (such as a battery level) of each of wirelessdevices 302, 304, 306 and 308, and can also determine a modulation andcoding scheme assigned to communication links 314, 316, 318, and 326. Asone example, where wireless device 308 has a greater power storage levelthan wireless devices 302, 304 and 306, and/or where communication link326 is assigned an MCS permitted a greater data rate and/or errorcorrection than communication links 314, 316 and 318 access node 310 canselect wireless device 308 to operate as a router wireless device. Whenaccess node 310 selects wireless device 308 to operate as a routerwireless device, access node 310 can notify selected wireless device308, and further can instruct wireless device 308 to send and receivecommunications with other wireless devices.

In operation 506, a first time period and a second time period can bedetermined and can be assigned to each unselected wireless device. Thefirst time period and second time period assigned to each unselectedwireless device can be different. In an embodiment, the first and secondtime periods can be used to determine which unselected wireless devicescan communicate with the selected router wireless device. For example,wireless device 308 may be unable to support communications with all ofwireless devices 302, 304 and 306 substantially simultaneously. Thefirst and second time periods can therefore initially be randomlyselected, for example, to mitigate a number of wireless devicesrequesting communication with either a router wireless device or theaccess node at substantially the same time.

Unselected wireless devices are instructed to communicate with thecommunication network via the selected router wireless device during thefirst time period (operation 508), and unselected wireless devices areinstructed to communicate with the communication network via the accessnode during the second time period (operation 510). In an embodiment,unselected wireless devices can communicate with access node 310 using afirst communication protocol or radio access technology, and cancommunicate with wireless device 308 as a router wireless device using asecond communication protocol or radio access technology. For example,wireless devices 302, 304, 306 and 308 can use LTE, WiMAX, CDMA, and thelike to communicate with access node 310, and further, wireless devices302, 304 and 306 can use WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and the like tocommunicate with wireless device 308. In an embodiment, during the firsttime period (when wireless devices 302, 304 and/or 306 communicate withwireless device 308 as a router wireless device), wireless devices 302,304 and/or 306 can turn off radio which uses the first communicationprotocol or radio access technology. In an embodiment, during the secondtime period (when wireless device 302, 304 and/or 306 communicate withaccess node 310), wireless devices 302, 304 and/or can turn off a radiowhich uses the second communication protocol or radio access technology.

Further, the first and second time periods can be adjusted periodically.For example, uplink and downlink delay determinations can be made, whichcan be based on data sent between access mode 310 and wireless devices.When an uplink delay and/or a downlink delay meets a delay threshold, afirst time period and/or a second time period of a wireless device canbe adjusted. For example, wireless device 302 can be in communicationwith wireless device 308 as a router wireless device over communicationlink 324, and it can be determined that data sent to and/or fromwireless device 302 meets a delay threshold. The delay threshold cancomprise a maximum permitted delay for an application running onwireless device 302, or a minimum data rate of the application, or amaximum error rate, and the like. When the delay for wireless device 302meets the delay threshold, the first time period can be shortened,and/or the second time period can be lengthened.

In an embodiment, a delay time can be added to the second time period ofone of the unselected wireless devices when the selected router wirelessdevice cannot meet a quality of service requirement of the one of theunselected wireless devices. For example, wireless device 302 can beassigned a first time period in which wireless device 302 communicateswith wireless device 308 as a router wireless device over communicationlink 324, and a second time period in which wireless device 302communicates with access node 310 over communication link 318. Whenwireless device 308 is unable to meet a quality of service requirementof wireless device 302, a delay time can be added to the second timeperiod of wireless device 302, to lengthen the second time period duringwhich wireless device 302 communicates with access node 310 overcommunication link 318.

In an embodiment, a second delay time can be added before the first timeperiod for each of the unselected wireless devices. For example, ifwireless devices 302, 304 and 306 each attempt to communicate withwireless device 308 at substantially the same time, wireless device 308can be overloaded quickly. A delay time can be added before the firsttime period of each of wireless devices 302, 304 and 306 so that eachunselected wireless device attempts to communicate with the routerwireless device at a different time. In an embodiment, the delay timeadded before each first time period can be a randomly determined timeperiod.

A delay time can be added to the first and/or the second time periodbased on a loading of the access node, or of a router wireless device.For example, if a loading of access node 310 meets a threshold, a delaytime can be added to the first time period of at least one unselectedwireless device to lengthen the period of time in which unselectedwireless devices communicate with the selected router wireless device.Similarly, the second time period of at least one unselected wirelessdevice can be shortened, to decrease the period of time in which theunselected wireless device communicates directly with access node 310.The first and/or second time period of a wireless device can be adjustedbased on, for example, a type of application running on the wirelessdevice, or an amount of data sent, received, or requested by thewireless device, and the like.

A delay time can also be added to the first and/or the second timeperiod based on a required service level associated with each wirelessdevice. The service level can be associated with each wireless device incommunication network 300. The service level can also be based on a typeof traffic or data sent to, received from, or requested by each wirelessdevice. In an embodiment, an uplink quality of service level can bemapped by each wireless device to a radio bearer group to provideservice level information to communication system 300. Service levelinformation required for a data or traffic type can also be determinedbased on the data or traffic itself, for example, by deep packetinspection of data to or from each wireless device.

A delay time can also be added to the first and/or the second timeperiod to prevent a disruption in a service provided to a wirelessdevice. For example, it can be determined that wireless device 304 isreceiving a data stream comprising a video stream, or an audio stream,or a file download. Access node 310, or wireless device 308 operating asa router wireless device, can determine that wireless device 304 isreceiving the data stream, and a delay time can be added to, forexample, to the first time period to lengthen the period of time inwhich wireless device 304 communicates with wireless device 308, or tothe second time period to lengthen the period of time in which wirelessdevice 304 communicates with access node 310 over communication link316.

In operation 508, a second one of the plurality of wireless devices isselected to operate as a router wireless device when an aggregatedcommunication resource request traffic from the selected router wirelessdevice meets the first threshold. For example, a demand forcommunication resources from wireless devices 302, 304, 306 and 308 canbe combined into an aggregated communication resource request, which canbe generated and sent from wireless device 308 (operating as a routerwireless device) to access node 310. At least one of wireless devices302, 304, and 306 can change an application running on the wirelessdevice, or can request a service or a download of data, or in some otherway can increase its requirement for communication resources. Theaggregated communication resource request can thus increase meet thefirst threshold. When the aggregated communication resource requesttraffic from the selected router wireless device meets the firstthreshold. A second one of the plurality of wireless devices can beselected to operate as a router wireless device. For example, wirelessdevice 302 can be selected to operate as a second router wirelessdevices. Wireless device 302 can be selected based on any of thecriteria described above, including combinations thereof. Further, anunselected wireless device can be instructed to communicate with thecommunication network via the second selected router wireless device.For example, wireless device 304 can be instructed to communicate withwireless device 302 over communication link 330.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary processing node 600 in a communicationsystem. Processing node 600 comprises communication interface 602, userinterface 604, and processing system 606 in communication withcommunication interface 602 and user interface 604. Processing system606 includes storage 608, which can comprise a disk drive, flash drive,memory circuitry, or other memory device. Storage 608 can store software610 which is used in the operation of the processing node 600. Storage608 may include a disk drive, flash drive, data storage circuitry, orsome other memory apparatus. Software 610 may include computer programs,firmware, or some other form of machine-readable instructions, includingan operating system, utilities, drivers, network interfaces,applications, or some other type of software. Processing system 606 mayinclude a microprocessor and other circuitry to retrieve and executesoftware 610 from storage 608. Processing node 600 may further includeother components such as a power management unit, a control interfaceunit, etc., which are omitted for clarity. Communication interface 602permits processing node 600 to communicate with other network elements.User interface 604 permits the configuration and control of theoperation of processing node 600.

Examples of processing node 600 include proxy node 308 and gateway 310.Processing node can also be an adjunct or component of a networkelement, such as an element of access node 106 or access node 306.Processing node 600 can also be another network element in acommunication system.

The exemplary systems and methods described herein can be performedunder the control of a processing system executing computer-readablecodes embodied on a computer-readable recording medium or communicationsignals transmitted through a transitory medium. The computer-readablerecording medium is any data storage device that can store data readableby a processing system, and includes both volatile and nonvolatilemedia, removable and non-removable media, and contemplates mediareadable by a database, a computer, and various other network devices.

Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include, but are notlimited to, read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), erasableelectrically programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory or other memorytechnology, holographic media or other optical disc storage, magneticstorage including magnetic tape and magnetic disk, and solid statestorage devices. The computer-readable recording medium can also bedistributed over network-coupled computer systems so that thecomputer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.The communication signals transmitted through a transitory medium mayinclude, for example, modulated signals transmitted through wired orwireless transmission paths.

The above description and associated figures teach the best mode of theinvention. The following claims specify the scope of the invention. Notethat some aspects of the best mode may not fall within the scope of theinvention as specified by the claims. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the features described above can be combined in variousways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, theinvention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above,but only by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of reducing wireless communicationoverhead, comprising: determining that buffer status report trafficreceived at an access node from a plurality of wireless devices meets afirst threshold; selecting at least one of the plurality of wirelessdevices to operate as a router wireless device based on a power storagelevel and an assigned modulation and coding scheme (MCS); assigning afirst time period and a second time period to each of the unselectedwireless devices; instructing the unselected wireless devices tocommunicate with a communication network via the selected routerwireless device during the first time period; instructing the unselectedwireless devices to communicate with the communication network via theaccess node during the second time period, wherein a delay time is addedto the second time period of at least one of the unselected wirelessdevices when the selected router wireless device cannot meet a qualityof service requirement of the unselected wireless devices; measuring anuplink packet delay of each of the unselected wireless devices; and whenan uplink packet delay meets a second threshold and communicationresource request traffic from the selected router wireless device meetsthe first threshold, selecting at least a second one of the plurality ofwireless devices to operate as a router wireless device.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the first time period and the second time period areeach randomly determined time periods.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereina random delay time is added before the first time period for each ofthe unselected wireless devices.
 4. A system of reducing wirelesscommunication overhead, comprising: a processing node configured to:determine that buffer status report traffic received at an access nodefrom a plurality of wireless devices meets a first threshold; select atleast one of the plurality of wireless devices to operate as a routerwireless device based on a power storage level and an assignedmodulation and coding scheme (MCS); assign a first time period and asecond time period to each of the unselected wireless devices; instructthe unselected wireless devices to communicate with a communicationnetwork via the selected router wireless device during the first timeperiod; and instruct the unselected wireless devices to communicate withthe communication network via the access node during the second timeperiod, wherein a delay time is added to the second time period of atleast one of the unselected wireless devices when the selected routerwireless device cannot meet a quality of service requirement of theunselected wireless devices; measure an uplink packet delay of each ofthe unselected wireless devices; and when an uplink packet delay meets asecond threshold and communication resource request traffic from theselected wireless device meets the first threshold, select at least asecond one of the plurality of wireless devices to operate as a routerwireless device.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first time periodand the second time period are each randomly determined time periods. 6.The method of claim 4, wherein the processing node is further configuredto add a random delay time for each of the unselected wireless devicesbefore the first time period.